Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 26-11-2020

THURSDAY 26th November, 2020

' No.106195

Democracy the ‘oxygen’ for development

–– President tells Suriname’s National Assembly SEE PAGE 03

–– ‘talks up’ deepening of economic and social cooperation beneficial to both nations

President, Dr Irfaan Ali addressing the National Assembly of Suriname on Wednesday (Office of the President photo)

Arimu Investments to build $3B hotel in ‘heart’ of GT PAGE

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World Bank provides US$7.5M to support Guyana’s COVID-19 response 16 PAGE

17 women die from domestic violence, 43 children motherless

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 26, 2020

Arimu Investments to build $3B hotel in ‘heart’ of GT –– to feature over 100 rooms, create over 150 direct and indirect jobs By Navendra Seoraj ANOTHER local company, Arimu Investments, is looking to make its mark in the burgeoning hotel industry with the construction of a $3 billion world-class hotel, in the heart of Georgetown. The indigenous company, which owns the Innovations America store and has a stake in gold mining and real estate, will be looking to expand its horizons with the construction of an over 100-bedroom Sure Stay Plus Hotel, a franchise of the world-renowned Best Western Hotels and Resorts. The Guyana Chronicle was informed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the construction of the potential eight-storey facility was signed recently by the investors and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest), Dr. Peter Ramsaroop. This newspaper understand that the facility, once completed, will be the first

CEO of GO-Invest, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop and Directors of Arimu Investments, Lorenzo Alphonso and Geraldo Alphonso at the signing of the MoU for the construction of the G$3B Sure Stay Plus Hotel

franchised hotel in the centre of the City. The hotel will span eight storeys and feature over 100 bedrooms, dining and restaurant facilities, an executive bar and lounge, gym, a conference hall, and an executive taxi service and valet parking. A total of 150 jobs will be created during the construction phase and 50 direct jobs after its completion. The project will begin in the first

quarter of 2021. Arimu Investments is joining a plethora of foreign stakeholders who are investing heavily in accommodation facilities. The government had recently put out an advertisement for expressions of interest and requests for proposals for investors to build hotels in Guyana. The aim, as outlined by the President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, is to provide at least 2,000 first-class rooms,

making Guyana “a conventional destination”. A business-friendly climate, supplemented by the anticipated economic ascension, is being credited for the attraction of major players in the hotel industry such as the Sheraton, The Element, Delta Marriott, Best Western Hotels and Resorts, the H- Tower Luxury Hotel, the Hyatt Hotels Corporation, the Radisson Hotels, and the Hilton Hotels and Resorts,

Palm Court International Hotel and King’s Hotel and Residences, among others. These potential investments are seen as timely, because Guyana, which sits on the edge of South America and has a population of about 750,000 people, is expected to ‘boom’ with its new-found oil wealth, which is expected to drive infrastructural development and other sectoral advancements. According to a study by Oxford Economics, hotel operations and guest spending support eight million jobs across the U.S. alone. The same study found that a typical hotel with 100 occupied rooms per night supports 230 local jobs every year. And the nation’s hotel and lodging industry brings other important benefits to local communities. These businesses are a cornerstone for local economic activity, providing increased tax revenue, capital investment, tourism-related development and promotion, civic leadership, charitable contributions and sponsorship.

INVESTMENT MAGNET These benefits are also expected to accrue to Guyana, as the country continues to function as an investment magnet. Hoteliers, agro processors, key players in the global energy sector and many other investors are either already in Guyana or are interested in penetrating the country’s growing economy-- which has a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of about US$4 billion. And, outside of the overarching development, the lucrative oil and gas sector, which officially came on stream in 2015, has been productive, but there has been no regulatory/legal framework in place to guide the utilisation of local content in the sector. There is, however, a high level of confidence that this will no longer be the case, as the Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, has said that President Ali will receive a draft Local Content Policy this week. TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 26, 2020

Democracy the ‘oxygen’ for development –– President tells Suriname’s National Assembly

–– 'talks up' deepening of economic and social cooperation beneficial to both nations DEMOCRACY remains the strongest ally for development, said President Dr Irfaan Ali in his address at an Extraordinary Sitting of the National Assembly of the Republic of Suriname on the occasion of that country’s 45th independence anniversary. The President, who is in the neighbouring country on a state visit, told Suriname’s National Assembly that through democracy, the electorate is allowed to hold its government accountable and Guyana looks forward to working with Suriname to ensure greater respect for democratic norms and values. “Democracy helps to unlock the latent potential of our economies and to boost investor confidence. Indeed, Guyana and Suriname are totally perched to benefit from accelerated growth and development, not only through

the exploitation of our natural resources, but through the abundant potential that lies in agriculture, value added, tourism and expanded trade,” President Ali said. He pointed out that the attention these resources now attract should make both countries thankful for the achievement of political Independence. “Investors and entrepreneurs are now knocking at our doors, more eager than ever to do business. Mr Chairman, Excellencies, Today, I pledge the solidarity of my government with the people of Suriname and commit to working to ensure enhanced cooperation for our mutual benefit. The future of our economies are intertwined. I believe we should seize this special period, to strengthen our bilateral relations. We have a golden opportunity to begin to dismantle the impediments through bilat-

eral trade – especially if there are no legal obstructions. We should take advantage of both the synergies and complementarities of our economies to deepen economic and social integration,” the President said. He commended the bonds of friendship, understanding and cooperation that exist between the two countries and saluted the Dutch-speaking neighbour on their independence anniversary as well as fashioning a multicultural society which respects diversity. Guyana and Suriname he said, have been among the most coveted pieces of real estate between the 17th and 19th centuries. The Spanish, the French, the Dutch and the British all laid claim to these lands. The struggles and sacrifices of the Indigenous, Africans, Maroons, East Indians, Portuguese, Europeans, Chinese and Indonesians, the President reminded eventually

President Dr Irfaan Ali addresses the National Assembly of Suriname (Office of the President photo)

lay the basis for the attainment of political Independence and, with it, for the legal certainty that belongs rightly to their people. Guyana and Suriname are also part of the Caribbean Community. The 45th anniversary of the Republic of Suriname comes at a time for both states to take the lead in demonstrating the efficacy of regional integration, the Guyanese Head of State said.

A section of the gathering at the Extraordinary Sitting of the National Assembly of the Republic of Suriname, on the occasion of that country’s 45th independence anniversary

As Suriname celebrates and enters into the 46th year of its independence, Guyana is preparing to celebrate 55 years as an independent nation next year. “I believe that both of us should create a dedicated pathway that would deepen economic and social cooperation. My government is prepared to exert its energies in working with the Government of Suriname on the creation of such a plan. “Allow me to close by once again congratulating His Excellency the President of the Republic of Suriname, his government and the people of Suriname on this auspicious

celebration of the Republic of Suriname’s 45th independence anniversary. “I pray that God will continue to bring the people of Suriname together, bring you in peace and continue to allow prosperity and democracy to flourish in this beautiful land of yours. On behalf of the Government and people of Guyana, I wish Suriname continued peace and prosperity in the years ahead. Happy independence anniversary! May God bless all of the people and all of you here today and your families,” the President said in concluding his address.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 26, 2020

Bond remains in police custody Arimu Investments ... FROM PAGE

PROMINENT People's National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) member and attorney, James Bond, remains in police custody as the probe into the award of State lands at Peter’s Hall, East Bank of Demerara (EBD) widens. Bond, who is at the centre of several “deals”, is being questioned in relation to conspiracy to defraud the State. He is accused of benefitting from land deals emanating from the sale of State lands while purportedly looking after the interest of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) which was presiding over the leasing of the lands. “I’m still in police custody and am being kept for 72 hrs, at Brickdam Police Station. I will not request bail, because I have nothing to hide. I am ready and willing to do a lie detector test to prove my innocence, but I am still to be provided with the opportunity to do so,” Bond stated on his Facebook page on Tuesday afternoon. However, subsequent to that Facebook post, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Assistant Commis-

sioner, Royston Andries-Junor noted that “at no time was Mr. Bond asked to submit to a polygraph test or, as described by the post, a lie detector test. Further, the Force has no intention to make any such request”. Meanwhile, NICIL has formally requested that the GPF investigates a document as an alleged forgery after it was circulated in defence of its former Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Colvin Heath-London. Heath-London was arrested Friday last and is expected to be placed on station bail soon as investigations continue into the prime State lands. London’s legal team has laid all wrongdoings at the feet of former CEO, Horace James, now deceased. Two businessmen embroiled in the scandal – Life 1 Pharms Inc. Director, Avalon Jagnandan, and Director of A-Z Pharmaceuticals Medical Supplies and Equipment Inc., Eddie Doolal, were arrested and reportedly told investigators that it was Bond who facilitated the deals which saw 30 acres of prime State lands being transferred to Chinese national, Jianfen

Thursday November 26, 2020 –– 2:00 & 13:00 HRS

James Bond

Yu. Furthermore, the businessmen reportedly also disclosed to police that it was Bond, not them, who received a hefty payoff from both deals, amounting to more than $100M. Bond also reportedly received a US$1M payment from Trinidad logistics company, Lennox Petroleum, for the sale of 10 acres of land leased to ARKEN Group Inc. In that deal, ARKEN and its principal leased from NICIL 20.3 acres of land at Peter’s Hall on May 9, 2018 for a 20-year period at US$16,224 per year. ARKEN later sold the 10 acres to local logistics company, GLASS Holdings Inc. on October 10, 2019 for

$200M. Like the other deals, instead of the principals of the companies receiving the payment, it was Bond who received the funds. In the aftermath of President Irfaan Ali’s Government taking office after a five-month battle following the March 2 elections, several companies have already returned lands, which were supposed to be developed. This occurred after a significant number of irregular land transactions involving State properties, including former sugar lands worth billions of dollars, were discovered. In these instances, investigators found that NICIL, as the representative of the people of Guyana for the transactions, did not even collect all the money when it transferred lands into the recipients’ names. The police and its Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) are involved in the investigations. SOCU’s role may involve investigating whether crimes relating to money laundering were committed. The land transactions, which spans Wales, Peter’s Hall and Ogle, have placed attention on a number of former ministers within the Coalition Government of David Granger, now in Opposition.

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An artist’s impression of the proposed $3B Sure Stay Plus Hotel

The government, in September, had established an advisory panel on local content. The panel was tasked with undertaking a review of all existing initiatives and policies relating to local content in the petroleum sector and to provide guidance for the development of Guyana’s Local Content Policy and Legislation. The panel comprises Shyam Nokta (chair), Carl Greenidge, Anthony Paul, Kevin Ramnarine, Carvil Duncan and Floyd Haynes. The team handed over its report to the Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, on Tuesday. The policy, once ratified, will pave the way for an inclusive environment, amidst increasing foreign investment

and interest in Guyana. President Ali has said already that progress is expected on all fronts in 2021, which has since been designated as the Year of Investments and Development. “What you will see next year is a flurry of development; there will be active work on the new Demerara Harbour Bridge, the new four-lane road, new hotels, and the creation of 50,000 homes,” said the President. He said work will commence on the construction and rehabilitation of roads in hundreds of communities; new infrastructure will be created, and there will be major developments in every sector.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 26, 2020

Ameer Ali performing duties of ACEO Examinations IN a bid to improve the integrity and structure of the examination systems, the Education Ministry will facilitate Senior Education Officer, Ameer Ali, in performing the duties of Assistant Chief Education Officer (ACEO] Examinations). According to the Education Ministry, this post, though new, will serve to improve what obtains so that the ministry can efficiently administer all examinations whether local or regional. The creation of this post will not replace what already exists but will bolster the ministry’s capacity in managing all examinations. Ali will perform the duties of the ACEO (Examinations) until an appointment is made. The ministry noted that the purpose of the ACEO (Examinations) is to bring synergy to the various departments of the ministry as far as measuring and evaluation go in administering examinations. The function also analyses results therefrom as well as discerning and implementing systems and programmes to ensure the efficient delivery of the curriculum which will be measured by output. Ali has been a part of the education fraternity since 1996 when he began teaching mathematics, integrated science and English at the City College in Georgetown. In 1999, he began teaching at the St. Ignatius Secondary School in the areas of mathematics, integrated science and technical drawing. In 2002, Ali graduated from the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) with a Trained Teacher’s Certificate (Secondary Education). In 2009, he went on to graduate from the University of Guyana with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics and is currently reading for his Master’s in Education - Mathematics. He also possesses an International Programme for Development Evaluation Training (IPDET) Certificate in Monitoring and Evaluation. During the period from

Ameer Ali

2010 to 2013, he taught as a lecturer at the CPCE in mathematics content and methodology and from 2013 to present he has been serving as an education officer within the ministry. According to Ali, he believes the position that has been created is a progressive move as it addresses the need for greater collaboration and synergy between the Examinations Division and the Testing Unit. He said that for several years, the Examinations Division and the Testing Unit at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) has been working diligently, tirelessly and beyond the call of duty to ensure acceptable standards in the development and administration of national examinations across the education system. He added that due to COVID-19, a demand was evident for innovation and adaptation to new and modern assessments. “All our children, at the various levels, must have an equal and fair chance at succeeding at whatever examinations they write, including CSEC and CAPE. Therefore, the guidance of children’s preparation and skill development in specific and strategic areas and levels will be crucial and necessary. This would also mean specific and in-depth training of teachers and other stakeholders in the completion of syllabi, SBAs and practical assessments,” he said.

Bandit arrested after robbing couple gold, cash POLICE and public-spirited citizens apprehended an armed bandit at # 58 Miles, Mabura, Region 10, after a business couple of #47 Miles Mabura Trail was robbed on Tuesday at 23:00 hrs. The suspect was identified as Collis George Jerrick, 30, a pork knocker of Third Alley, Wismar, Linden. Police found in his possession a black haversack containing clothing, $2.3M cash, one digital scale, two cellphones-- one of which belongs to the victim-- one .38 special revolver with five live 9mm rounds, one .38 spent shell and three 9mm spent shells. He was told of the offence committed, cautioned and arrested. Reports indicate that the business couple of # 47 miles Mabura trail were robbed by two men of $3.4M cash and two and a half ounces of raw gold, along with jewellery and cell phones that were left in their minibus in a haversack while they were having a bath at the creek. The businesswoman and her husband, upon returning to their minibus, were confronted by the armed bandits who held them at gun point, demanding that they hand over the black haversack. The bandits then discharged several rounds in the air before grabbing the bag and making good their escape on foot. The husband gave chase and several persons in the area were contacted and questioned. During the questioning, it was revealed that two

Arrested: Collis George Jerrick

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strange persons were seen on a black XR motorcycle along the #47 Mile Public Road with their faces covered, proceeding in the direction of the Mabura Police Outpost. Acting on further information, police and public-spirit citizens went to #58 Miles where the black XR motorcycle, bearing no registration plate, was seen parked at the road corner near to some high bushes. The said area was combed and one of the suspect was seen hiding in some bushes. He tried to escape by discharging a round in the air and began running, but was cornered and arrested.

The cash and other items retrieved by police

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 26, 2020

Tajeram Mohabir

Astute leadership IT is imperative that Guyanese engage the task of cultivating Guyana into delivering the fruits of our legendary potential, with sober reflection of where the nation stands today. In the history of this nation, one organisation stands out for consistent cultivation of socio-economic progress across the country, and for safeguarding, defending and upholding the democratic ideal. With perseverance, resolve, inner strength, integrity of character, and astute leadership, the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), since the 1950s has tilled the ground, fertilised the field, nurtured and tended this tender nation into a full-grown oil giant today. Guyanese are today well set to reap the fruits of their labours in this land. And much of the credit goes to the PPP/C and its long years of battle to make Guyana a developed democracy. Indeed, the fascinating story of this organisation should inspire every Guyanese. When we see its stamina, fight, and dedication to progress, peace and prosperity, every Guyanese should be thankful that the nation is blessed with such a band of political leaders. Time and time again, the PPP/C has

had to rescue Guyana from threatening calamity because of bad governance under governments led by the People's National Congress (PNC). This is historical fact, and indeed forms the essence of the Guyana Story. Blessed is any nation that harbours a strong national cadre of citizens who dedicate their lives to uphold the three fundamental tenets of modern society: democracy, justice, and development. At this point in Guyana's development, as Guyanese plow through these early days as a major global oil producer, it is imperative that citizens rally together in national unity to generate a groundswell, and the tipping point, to elevate the nation to its legendary potential. Always, national voices must support and defend and uphold and guard these three fundamental fertile grounds in which citizens plant and cultivate the Guyana that Guyanese dream of, that everybody knows is possible: democracy, justice and the rule of law, and national development. The country has the leadership and governance in place to make this task easily achievable. Under the PPP/C Government, under this organisation that has proven

itself to be in the forefront of guarding and cultivating democracy, development, and justice, the Guyanese nation is well set to band together and make our mark on the 21st century as a global success story. It's under the PPP/C Governments that a healthy, organic, alive media culture took hold. In the national newspapers, TV stations, proliferation of radio stations, and digital media, the nation encourages a multitudes of voices, viewpoints, and visions to engage the nation. Out of this media landscape, it would serve the national good for everybody to cultivate a cohesive commitment to good governance, national development, and social justice. In other words, citizens cannot leave the task up to the government alone, nor to the PPP/C. Guided by the commitment of the government to democracy, development and justice, every citizen should dedicate their energy to making the Guyana Story one of inspiring national unity, a shining example of the peace and stability that's inherent in the Caribbean, and a standout nation of South America. National media outlets would serve the nation well were they to refrain from subjective, petty, irresponsible media content.

Such things demoralise, demotivate, and demonise the national character. While upholding and guarding democracy, development and justice, it is time for Guyanese as a nation to heal the land, to cultivate a national voice of cooperation, to tackle the task of bearing the fruits every Guyanese aspires to, with zeal for this nation, and with recognition that the country is blessed with a government that has historically proven its absolute commitment to democracy, development, and justice. It therefore is incumbent upon citizens to band together and make their nation the best it could be. After a history of slavery, indentured labour, colonisation, and decades of one political party trampling on the democratic rights of Guyanese, it's time for the nation to recognise the value of having a national organisation like the PPP/C committed to Guyana bearing the kind of fruits that reward the enterprisng character of the Guyanese spirit. Such a sober, objective, analytical outlook on where the nation is at today, is necessary for national voices to make a positive contribution to Guyana's progress.

Coalition took deep plunge, nearly stopped diving after attaining power

Dear Editor,

I HAVE travelled extensively around Guyana over the last week to collect data on a survey I am currently conducting on the nation’s views of the current administration and previous APNU-led coalition regime. One point that struck me is how pleased people are/were to get rid of the coalition. The regime ‘rubbed’ people wrongly. It lost touch with its supporters and the population at large. It treated supporters of the PPP badly, including those who voted for the coalition in 2015. Its defeat was expected, according to those interviewed from both sides of the political aisle. Many of the PNC’s traditional supporters said they did not come out to

vote. And many traditional PPP supporters who crossed over to vote for the coalition in 2015 returned ‘home’ and voted against the coalition, guaranteeing its defeat. “We had to vote them out because they disappointed the nation.” Supporters of the then PNC-led Government (now opposition) and the current PPP-led administration say “it was real pressure” living under the coalition for over five years from May 2015 to August 2, 2020. Even the coalition’s own supporters assailed it. Some of the comments obtained: “It was one tax after another”; “Raising fees on everything”; “It was a tax-and-spend government”; “They don’t know how to grow the economy”; “Finance

Minister was a bookkeeper”; “President was not aggressive and not hands on”; “They took care of friends and family”; “A lot of tiefing”; “No compassion for poor”; “Neglected supporters”; “They forgot who helped them to get into government”; “Ministers too arrogant”; “There was hardly any progress”; “One could not see where the money was going”; “Big salary to friends”; and “Thank God they are gone.” It appeared that some people whom they treated badly were just waiting for the day to vote out the coalition. Some academics, business people, some among the elite commented, UG students, including those who voted for the coalition say they never read of or felt that a government that was so anxious to

leave office right after it came to power. It had tremendous goodwill but burned too many bridges with people. In sum, they said the coalition did practically everything wrong to lose office, accusing members of that government of virtually everything negative of a government from self-enrichment, stealing, wholesale corruption, personal greed to neglecting the population. “Losing office was inevitable.” A (dougla) taxi driver told me: “I voted for APNU in 2015. The coalition gave themselves a big raise. That was a turn-off. They didn’t learn anything because they raised every fee and tax. Many, many African people who sat in my taxi told me they would not vote. On the morning of election day, I was not going

to vote. My mother begged me to go and vote for APNU. She said forgive them because they may change in a second term. I went out and vote for them again on March 2 knowing they won’t change. I did it for my mother who is African and my father a dougla. I waited five years to transfer a house lot in my name under APNU. It didn’t happen. As soon as the change occurred and the PPP is back, one month later I got the transfer of a house lot to my name. And I also got approval of a government house lot. I am sorry, I should have voted PPP but my mother said to vote for my people and my party. Under APNU, I would still be waiting. They were a waste of time and it was a waste of vote voting for them. They no good and they not

coming back.” The latter comment is reflective of the views of the coalition around the country. Analogously, people are pleased with the change in the administration. They see a lot of positives in the media. Although people say not much has been happening materially on the ground to improve their lives, they are willing to give the administration time to turn around the economy. They feel they have a better future under the PPP than under APNU. They noted that the economy is starting to pick up as jobs on the estates and in other sectors are slowly returning. Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 26, 2020

If you see, hear or know something, say or do something

Dear Editor,

IN midst of COVID-19, crime and commerce, Coalition Party has recently come in for more criticism for their callous performance during their tenure of governorship, which includes cunning craftsmanship. An ongoing issue is the recent revelation of the oil saga which is creating mayhem and havoc in many corners, and causing discomfiture. The APNU+AFC government had signed the lopsided oil agreement, unfavourable to Guyana’s interest. Then there is the case of several plots of State land which were leased by individuals and then resold, result-

ing in huge profits. This has particularly been the case on the East Bank of Demerara. A popular attorney and member of the People’s National Congress Reform, James Bond, has been arrested for questioning in relation to the land giveaways under the former APNU+AFC coalition. Another matter of engagement is the process of dumping over $742M worth of expired drugs by the Ministry of Health which began since Thursday. This was disclosed by Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, who added that the drugs would have caused approximately $3 million of taxpayers’s hardearned money to be wasted.

While COVID-19 is taking a severe toll on the lives of Guyanese, the crime situation is out of control, and is rampantly destroying the peace of mind of all Guyanese. It is so chaotic that it is has devastating effects politically, economically, sociologically and psychologically on the lives of all Guyanese and residents in the country and abroad. This cumbersome problem is causing a panic among relatives abroad, and is currently contributing as a destabilising factor in each and every home here in Guyana. This deplorable and unacceptable matter perpetuates both white and blue- collar criminal activities. Recently, Guyanese-born sociologist

GuySuCo’s future hangs in the balance without the ARTICULATED tractors Dear Editor, SINCE taking office almost four months ago, The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government has been moving ahead with its plans to re-open three of the four sugar estates shuttered by the coalition government. The process has already begun with the rehiring of almost 700 employees to carry out preliminary work on the sugar factories in preparation for the grand reopening in 2022. So far, 270 workers were rehired at the Rose Hall Estate, 226 at Skeldon and 194 at Enmore at a cost of GYD$126 million. According to the CEO of GuySuCo, Mr. Sasenarine Singh, by midto the end of 2021, the state entity will provide employment for some 3,000 of the 7,000 workers who were laid off—about 1600 at Rose Hall and roughly 1400 at Enmore. The Rose Hall factory will be the first to reopen, followed by Enmore and Skeldon. Today, only three estates are in operation—Uitvlugt, Blairmont and Albion. It is estimated that the reopening of the three sugar estates will cost GuySuCo approximately GYD$6.3 billion—GYD$2.8B on Rose Hall, GYD$2.1B on Enmore and GYD$1.4B on Skeldon. GuySuCo, once the

principal earner of foreign currency and still the largest employer in the productive sector with more than 9,000 employees, is a key pillar of the country’s economy. It fell on hard times for a variety of reasons and had to rely on subsidies from governments to keep it afloat. This was due largely to a lower price and a lower demand for sugar on the world market, loss of the preferential market and corruption. However, the Irfaan Ali administration has vowed to reopen the estates, rehire most of the laid-off workers and make the estates stable again. Indeed, I am sure GuySuCo would have been thrilled to provide employment for more persons, but it cannot do so at this point in time since the corporation does not have the field equipment, especially tractors required to advance its work. The closing of the sugar factories three years ago has resulted in major damage to machinery and the factories and there was no tractor on site on some of these estates as NICIL operators carried out a great plunder between 2017 and 2020 on these estates. Key equipment have vanished from the factories. In addition, the cane lands have been abandoned and are teeming with bushes which need to be cleared, tilled and planted, but one cannot plant sugar cane with

their fingernails, but powerful ploughing implements to be pulled by powerful 200 HP tractors such as the ARTICULATED tractors to get the job done. As a result, the burden is now on the state-owned entity and its CEO Sase Singh to get the machinery back in working condition and to purchase the suitable tractors required to till the land in preparation for planting and hence for the reopening of the factories. The process of acquiring 44 ARTICULATED tractors is underway at a cost of some $1.2 billion (not the sorts of inflated figures as reported in some media outlets). It has come to my attention that the first six (6) tractors would cost about G$26 million each and each of them is over 200 HP and are ARTICULATED sugar-specific tractors, rather than the generalist agriculture, rice or FIXEDFRAME tractors that have consistently failed the tillage programme of GuySuCo. While some inside of GuySuCo and others in the public have opined that the tractors are too expensive, the truth is, the ARTICULATED tractors are “sugar-specific tractors” which means that they are tailored to the specific needs of the sugar industry. They are different from the FIXEDFRAME and the CRAWLER tractors. TURN TO PAGE

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and former senior lecturer at the University of Guyana in the faculty of Social Science, Dr. Tara Singh, had ample reasons to write not once but twice this month regarding the terrible and horrific crime situation in Guyana. He has articulated some of the damaging effects, and called for a national forum

to engage in a conversation regarding this heinous situation. Dr. Tara Singh has also impressed the urgency of this forum, because of the gravity of its explosiveness. Many editorial pieces, reporters and writers have echoed and endorsed his sentiments, and reiterated the immediate intervention

of the government. The past government had turned a blind eye on this challenge, and opened the room to entertain speculations. Guyana has been the victim of so many corruptions and collusions under the APNU+AFC regime, TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 26, 2020

Agricola accident victim identified as Tucville resident

THE pedestrian who was struck down and killed on the Agricola Public Road, Greater Georgetown on Monday, has been identified as Kevin Monderson, 34, of Tucville Squatting Area, Georgetown. He was identified by his aunt, Bridget Monderson. A 33-year-old driver is

in police custody after a motor lorry he was driving on the Agricola Public Road, slammed into Monderson. Police said the accident occurred around 07:10hrs on the Agricola Public Road (eastern carriage way). Enquiries disclosed that motor lorry, GPP 8215, was proceeding north along

the western drive lane of the eastern carriage way of the Agricola Public Road; at that time, the third lane for north bound traffic was activated. In the vicinity of Agricola, the driver of the motor lorry observed a pedestrian standing on the median facing east of the centre of

the two carriage ways and, while the driver of the motor lorry was in the process of passing, the pedestrian, without looking south, walked east into the path of the motor lorry. As a result of the pedestrian’s action, the front centre portion of the lorry collided with him (pedestrian).

He fell onto the roadway and the rear right side wheel ran over both of his legs. He was subsequently picked up in an unconscious condition and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s Emergency Unit. There, he was seen and examined by a doctor

GuySuCo’s future hangs in the balance without ... The ARTICULATED tractors are very flexible and based on their engi-

neering design, during operation they “can turn into half” or “break into two”

and they are powered on all their four wheels. Because real mechanical power

is in all four wheels, these ARTICULATED tractors function much easier on the sugar cane fields. In the final analysis, they are most suitable for the sugar-cane industry to enhance yield and meet production targets and this has been proven empirically both at GuySuCo and in the universities in the United States. Whereas the FIXED- FRAME tractors are considered generalist and rice tractors and are powered by its two rear wheels, the CRAWLER tractors are equipped with four large same-size wheels which make them very slow and heavy and more suitable for the forest industry.

That said, it is extremely important for the public and for those opposed to the purchasing of the ARTICULATED tractors to know that during the 1970s when Harold Davis, Sr. was the CEO of GuySuCo, the production of sugar was at its peak because the ARTICULATED tractors were used to till the land. However, in 2009, there was a substantial decrease in the production of sugar due to the fact that the state-owned corporation switched from using ARTICULATED tractors to the FIXED-FRAME tractors. It was a colossal mistake to say the least, that

on duty who treated him for head injuries, internal bleeding and broken feet. He was admitted as a patient in the critical bay in the Emergency Unit. He later succumbed to his injuries at 07:30 hrs on Tuesday morning.

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had cost the nation billions of dollars. This brings me to the quote by writer, philosopher and Harvard Professor George Santayana, who said “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” We cannot and must not make such a mistake again because thousands of lives and several communities are dependent on the survival of GuySuCo. It is time for us to once again cast our solid support for “King Sugar” and GuySuCo’s CEO Sasenarine Singh and his team. Yours sincerely, Dr. Asquith Rose

If you see, hear or know something ... and it is only now that Guyanese are becoming aware of all the white-collar crimes committed during their past five years in office. Even though this comes as no surprise, it is the Guyanese public, more so, the man in the street who has to pay the cost. As if to add salt to the profusely, bleeding wound, since the publication of Dr. Singh’s last article, it would seem as if crime has taken an affront, and criminals have been further provoked. It is as if they are competing with the law enforcement officers, and challenging them to come catch us. A recent spate of incidents is of grave concern for reflection: On November 20, Deonarine Harripersaud was robbed of $3million while withdrawing cash at the bank in Nauth Village, Corentyne, West Coast Berbice. Then, last Friday, it was discovered that there is a $150 million fraud from the Finance Dept. of the Guyana Police Force; and a Sophia couple, Nyron Wilson, 33, and Nadira John, 19, were busted with $1.5 million in narcotics; 116 persons were arrested in Berbice for breaching the COVID-19 protocols last Friday and

Saturday; 11 GRA staffers were suspended last Saturday as authorities continue their investigation into Belgium’s seizure of 11.5 tons of cocaine shipped from Guyana worth about US$1 billion; last Saturday, Koretta Otho, 28, of Plaisance, ECD, was confronted by armed bandits in front of her home and robbed of some $100.000 worth of cash and articles; three inmates escaped last Saturday from the Lusignan Holding Bay. “The issues of people escaping from the prisons have to do with poor administrative issues at the prison. There is corruption at the level of the prison officers. We have been firing prison officers for smuggling ‘ganja’, rum, Vodka, Whiskey, and cigarette. There are issues of them making knives there, and so searches have to be conducted,” a senior officer explained. And last Sunday, a 52-year-old man from Tuschen Housing Scheme, EBE, allegedly took his life; then an argument over undercooked rice, resulted in a woman stabbing her brother to death at Parika Backdam, East Bank Essequibo, EBE, on Sunday afternoon; eight men from Corentyne, East Berbi-

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ce, were arrested on Sunday engaged in cock-fighting, and in breach of the COVID-19 emergency measures; Monday night, CANU intercepted a Suriname-based Guyanese woman with 1.948 kilograms of cocaine at the CJIA; a 53-year-old Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara businessman, Terrence Dicikie, was shot dead in the wee hours of Monday morning by armed bandits during a home invasion; last Monday, illegal logs were seized in the Potaro-Siparuni area involved in illegal mining. The government is encouraged to take immediate actions and steps to curb this problem, and the Minister of Home Affairs is urged to pay attention to Dr. Tara Singh’s suggestions. This matter is past nipping in the bud, and is deeply rooted in the heart of Guyana, and seeded in each home. Guyanese are urged, “If you see, hear or know something, say or do something.” It is your life that may be at stake. Respectfully, Jai Lall

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 26, 2020

Legal Aid Clinic offering free legal representation to non-violent offenders

Legal Aid Specialist, Orinthia Schmidt

PERSONS incarcerated for minor and non-violent offences can access free legal representation through the Ministry of Legal Affairs’ Support for Criminal Justice System Legal Aid Clinic. Legal Aid Specialist, Orinthia Schmidt, emphasised that the clinic does not represent persons for serious offences, only non-violent offenders awaiting trial. At a press briefing on Monday at the Umana Yana, Schmidt said the clinic conducts prison visits to determine whether inmates require representation. “After an interview is conducted with the inmate, a retainer agreement is signed, and the clinic will take on the necessary representation for the matter,” she explained.

The clinic also assists walkins with minor offences. Schmidt noted that the clinic targets Georgetown and East Coast Demerara in Region Four, and the West Bank of Demerara in Region Three. She is one of four lawyers working with the clinic. Four paralegals, who completed their Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of Guyana, are also attached to the clinic and assist with the administrative work. The clinic commenced in January and is part of a US$8 million IDB-funded project to help Guyana overcome prison overcrowding, by reducing pre-trial detentions and increasing the use of alternative sentencing, among other measures. (DPI)

Man chopped in face by drinking partner

A 29-year-old Queenstown resident is currently hospitalised at the Suddie Public Hospital after he was chopped to his face during an argument with his drinking buddy on Tuesday. The injured man has been identified as Mortimer Sooknanan of Centenary. According to reports reaching this publication, the two friends were imbibing at a shop at Anna Regina Squatting Area when an argument ensued between

them. The suspect, who is a miner by profession, reportedly removed a knife from his waist and chopped Sooknanan to the left side face. Sooknanan later made a report at the Anna Regina Police Station. He was taken to the hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. The suspect was arrested and the knife retrieved from his person. Police are continuing their investigations.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 26, 2020

Most of Region Three murders solved

–– Assistant Superintendent Troy Whittaker

OFFICER-IN-CHARGE of crime in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Assistant Superintendent Troy Whittaker, is optimistic that members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) have what it takes to crack hard-to-solve murder cases. He told the media as much on Monday, saying that the reason he had come to that conclusion was because they had been successfully able to solve close to 90 per cent of the murders that had been, this year, committed in Region Three. The latest success story, he said, was the murder of 20-year-old Alex Morgow, a fisherman of Parika Backdam, whose own sister, 31-year-old Lashena Morgow, has been arrested for committing the act. According to Whittaker, members of the Force were able to identify the woman as a suspect, retrieve the murder weapon, and determine a motive in less than 24 hours. “The young lady who is the sister,” Whittaker said, “We have that person in custody, along with the murder weapon [which] was retrieved. The matter is likely for court Wednesday morning. This matter has been dealt with so quickly by our ranks, like many of our other cases. So we are proud of the

way we are operating.” He further told this publication that the major contributor to the murders in the region was intoxication. He explained that, in most of the murders recorded, the common factor involved the accused being under the influence of alcohol. The senior police official informed that the bars that have been operating despite the COVID-19 pandemic is a major contributor. “Most of these rum shops that contribute to these murders are what we would term illegal rum shops or bottom house rum shops; they are no longer operating from the front. They are working from way down at the back of Parika and all those desolate areas. We found that most of these murders occurred late in the night or very early in the morning, like they went out and they drink and they remember they had some old grievance and they pick a fight and that is it,” Whittaker explained. He stated that some very stringent measures have been

put in place to deal with all rum shops that are in operation. According to the COVID-19 Emergency Measures (No. 8) restrictions have been placed on the operation of night clubs and other pubs/entertainment spots, particularly those which have indoor operations. Whittaker later said that he believed the ranks have a significant level of control over the other types of crimes in the region. He stated that the level of robberies had decreased drastically in recent months. He related that it was noticed that many of the robberies that occur within the region were committed by persons travelling from Region Four by way of the Vreed-enHoop stelling. Whittaker informed that several systems are in place to allow ranks to identify persons who are involved in this type of criminal activity.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 26, 2020

China removes all remaining counties from poverty list (Xinhua) -- CHINA has achieved the feat of removing all remaining counties from the country's poverty list. The last nine impoverished counties, all in southwest China's Guizhou Province, have eliminated absolute poverty, the provincial government announced on Monday. This means that all 832 registered poor counties in China have shaken off poverty. An assessment conducted by third-party agencies earlier this month showed that the overall incidence of poverty in the nine counties in Guizhou had been reduced to zero percent, and the satisfaction rate among locals was over 99 percent, said Li Jian, director of the provincial poverty alleviation and development office, at a press briefing. The average annual net income of impoverished people in these nine counties has risen to 11,487 yuan (about 1,740 U.S. dollars),

well above the 4,000-yuan national poverty line set this year, Li said. China has vowed to eradicate absolute poverty by the end of 2020. At the end of 2019, 52 counties in the northwest, southwest and south of the country remained on the poverty list. Earlier this month, all poor counties in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, as well as the provinces of Yunnan, Sichuan and Gansu were lifted out of poverty. Guizhou, which used to be a provincial-level region with the biggest population of poor people, has lifted more than 9 million people out of poverty since 2012. "Delisting all poverty-stricken counties indicates China has resolved the millennia-old issue of extreme poverty," said Gao Gang, a researcher with the Guizhou Academy of Social Sciences. In the new development

Aerial photo shows the Tuanshan resettlement site in southwest China's Guizhou Province.

stage, more rural vitalisation efforts should be made to consolidate poverty-reduction achievements, said Gao. Yanhe Tujia Autonomous County is one of the nine counties recently removed from the poverty list. In late October, Chen Maofu, a resident in Bianjiang Village in Yanhe, signed his name on a document certifying that his family had been lifted out of poverty. "My two sons now work in Zhejiang Province, and are much better off than before,"

said Chen, noting that each of his five family members has an annual net income of over 10,000 yuan. The standard of living of residents in Bianjiang stands in stark contrast to that in 2014, when there were 699 registered poor people. "Poor transportation was the main reason that caused poverty in Bianjiang. The only way out of the village was a narrow footpath near the cliff of a mountain," Chen said. As China intensified its

efforts on poverty reduction over the past years, more roads were built linking the village with the outside world. Even the footpath leading to Chen's house was paved. As a result of improved transportation, the fishing, chicken-raising and chrysanthemum industries began to prosper in the village, providing locals with increased incomes. With the elimination of absolute poverty this year, China will achieve the pover-

ty-reduction target of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule. Over the past 40-plus years of reform and opening up, more than 700 million people in China have been lifted out of poverty, contributing more than 70 percent of the global poverty reduction. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has spoken highly of China's success in poverty reduction, calling the achievements "very strong." .

China's new five-year plan to boost post-pandemic global recovery (Xinhua) -- WITH the COVID-19 pandemic dealing a severe blow to the world economy, China is expected to play its role as a key engine to rekindle global growth in the future, global observers said. The leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has adopted proposals for formulating the 14th FiveYear Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the LongRange Objectives Through the Year 2035. China's new development plan proposals, which stress innovation, domestic demand, quality of development and high-level opening-up among others, will provide more development opportunities and bring shared prosperity to the world, according to scholars and politicians at the Understanding China Conference which closed Sunday in Guangzhou. OPPORTUNITIES FROM HIGHER-LEVEL OPENING UP The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected

that the global economy will contract by 4.4 percent this year in its latest World Economic Outlook report released in October. At the Understanding China Conference, Martin Jacques, a British scholar and political commentator, said the ongoing pandemic has a far bigger impact on the world than the 2008 financial crisis. In its development proposals, China highlights its wider and higher-level opening up, which is in contrast to the headwinds of protectionism and unilateralism. "As committed investors, we welcome China's ongoing policy of higher-level opening-up," said Merlin Swire, chairman of Swire Pacific Limited. "Although the COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose serious challenges to the global economy, we have all witnessed China's resilience during these difficult times," he said, adding that as an engine for economic growth, China's post-epidemic recovery will be critical. Yun Mingqing with the China Institute for Innovation

Photo taken on Sept. 16, 2020 shows the night view of Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

and Development Strategy said multinational companies will gain more opportunities in China's higher-level opening up and that mutually beneficial cooperation should be strengthened to jointly create new technologies, new industries, and new forms of business. CONFIDENCE AND COLLABORATION The Chinese economy

contracted 6.8 percent in the first quarter but increased by 3.2 percent in the second quarter and maintained a steady growth of 4.9 percent in the third quarter, showing a "V-shaped recovery." According to the IMF, China is expected to be the only major global economy to see growth in 2020. China's manufacturing and service-sector activities stood in expansion territory

for eight straight months, the latest evidence that the economic recovery continued amid the government's progrowth measures. The Chinese authority has said China has effectively contained the virus and brought production and life back to normal, and the fundamentals sustaining the country's steady and longterm economic growth remain unchanged. China has full

confidence and the ability to maintain stable economic performance. The confidence is echoed by business circles who find massive opportunities in the country's new development paradigm. In such a situation, Yohei Kono, President of the Japanese Association for the Promotion of International Trade, believed the two goals of "expanding domestic demand" and "innovating in science and technology" proposed in the communique of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee are most appropriate. The Chinese government's policy of appropriately expanding domestic demand will not only address the imbalance of regional development, but it will also ensure job opportunities for its citizens who are not subject to international uncertainties, he said at the Understanding China Conference via video link.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 26, 2020

The ‘Silver Lining’ for a single-parent mother –– building resistance against climate change

PATRICIA Persaud is a single parent on a mission to be a true example of women’s empowerment -- encouraging women and girls to be economically independent. Managing a farm under harsh climatic conditions is hard, along with being a single parent and a

full-time teacher is no easy task. However, Patricia and her sons started farming to assist with expenses since her teacher’s salary was inadequate. Every weekday from 06:30hrs to 08:00hrs and returning from 17:00hrs, and on weekends and holidays, they would tend to their cash crops of

pak choi, ochroes, peppers, cucumbers, and cabbage. “I am stress-free, active, and financially stable,” says Patricia. In 1986, Patricia moved from the island of Wakenaam to Parika Back, East Bank Essequibo. Both Wakenaam and Parika are rural communities that depend

FAO Representative Dr. Gillian Smith and other representatives under the greenhouse with Patricia Persaud discussing ideas

Patricia Persaud with two bags of cucumber she picked from her farm in Parika

on small farming to support livelihoods. In Guyana, there is a saying, ‘farming deh in me blood’ which means a person is from a place or family with a farming background. In those days the population in Parika Back was small, the roads were undeveloped, and food crops were cultivated only to meet household needs on smallholdings -- subsistence agriculture. With the resurfacing of the connecting road to Parika Back, farm-to-market access became easier, which encouraged the expansion of smallscale farming in the area. In April 2020, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) facilitated a pilot project on Climate-Smart Agriculture for farmers in the Parika/Namryck communities of Guyana. According to FAO Representative Dr. Gillian Smith, these communities are prone to flooding, while the rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns increase soil vulnerability. Added to climate variability are pests and crop diseases and increased atmospheric carbon dioxide, all of which add more stress on small farmers. The FAO-IICA pilot offered an affordable greenhouse solution known as a shadehouse that is effective on a small, sustainable scale to mitigate some of the effects of climate change and pro-

vide strategies for smallholder farmers to adapt to the changing environment. ADAPTIVE CAPACITY Greenhouses cannot reverse climate change, but they are well suited to increase the adaptive capacity for sustainable farming by jointly addressing food security and climate challenges. Globally, Dr. Smith noted that almost three billion people depend on small-scale agriculture for their livelihoods, whether directly or indirectly, while three out of four people in developing countries live in rural areas. She explained that smallscale rural farmers play a pivotal role in agri-food systems and with highly varied incomes, land sizes, assets, and gender inequalities; they are considered the most vulnerable groups. The FAO’s programmes in Guyana, Dr. Smith explained, are targeting small farmers in rural communities to help them maximise their potential by providing strategies to increase and diversify their production, improving the quality of their produce to support better access to markets, building resistance against climate change, and supporting gender equality. The FAO’s work, she explained, also supports the sustainable use of natural resources, especially by small farmers who are often heavily dependent on these resources. TURN TO PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 26, 2020

17 women die from domestic violence, 43 children motherless –– Human Services Ministry launches ‘Enough with the Violence’ campaign

By Naomi Parris A TOTAL of 17 women have been killed thus far in the year in cases of domestic violence, leaving approximately 43 children motherless, Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud, has disclosed. The minister made the disclosure on Wednesday in a statement as she launched the ‘Enough with the Violence’ campaign to coincide with the United Nations (UN) initiative sixteen Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. "Domestic violence remains a taboo, shuttered behind closed doors and only emerging as bloody faces, bruised limbs, broken spirits and dead bodies. Fear of societal judgement, insecurities about children and finances, family pressure and manipulation keep this a hushed conversation or results in an overwhelming silence,” she said. The COVID-19 pandemic, the minister said has kept many women in proximity to their abusers and reporting has become challenging. Urging persons to join

Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud

the movement, Minister Persaud noted that the fight to end violence against women and girls is one of the longest and hardest challenges faced, not only by Guyana, but the entire world. As such, she said all should join in the campaign to ensure women are protected. “Our stance together will create an umbrella of protection for legions of women. We must be the hope for children so that they will not have to live without the love of their mothers and we must be the conscience of a country that will not tolerate an iota of violence against

women,” she said, adding: “Our campaign needs every one of you to implement the zero-tolerance policy for violence against women.” Minister further stated that acts of violence inflicted on women and girls are heinous crimes which are a pervasive breach of human rights and should be condemned by all. “While we struggle to find the solution, women continue to cower in fear, tell doctors that they fell down the stairs to explain injuries from merciless beatings and lawyers and case workers should continue to plead with them to stay away from

their perpetrators.” The minister added: “This is 2020, we can do better. All of us … that’s right... you and I must work in every home, school, office, community, in every part of our country to expose violence against women where it exists, support the women, work with the perpetrators, create safe spaces, educate persons and share solutions.” The Human Services and Social Security Ministry will launch its 914 emergency hotline in December to link survivors to agencies, advocacy programmes, referral pathways, microenterprise industries, public-private skills employment database matching and offer immediate help to extricate them from violent situations. The 24-hour hotline operators will offer support, referral to victims and survivors, family, friends and professionals via an integration of the services available at both the Domestic Violence Unit and the Childcare and Protection Agency. Minister Persaud added that approximately nine social workers were trained through the Survivors Advocacy Programme, to offer

The ‘Silver Lining’ for... “Embracing new technology such as shadehouses helps to give people like Patricia an added advantage in resisting climate change and meeting several sustainable development goals,” Dr. Smith noted. The amount of female single-parent households relying on farming as a source of income in Guyana is unknown. Single-parent households, the FOA representative noted, especially those headed by women are prevalent in society. With the increasing impact of climate change and the rise in food prices, many single mothers find it very challenging to support their children with one income. Taken into account that almost 45 per cent of rural women have a role in agricultural production, the FAO has indicated the importance of supporting women in agriculture to move beyond production for subsistence and into higher-value, market-oriented production. In Guyana, Dr. Smith said “We are looking at gender equality and women empowerment, and the associated principles to make a difference to help them to maximise their potential to improve their livelihood.”

SHADEHOUSE FARMING SOLUTION Patricia was a beneficiary of the shadehouse farming solution and was able to pursue her dream to plant lettuce, celery, and broccoli, which are delicate crops that require shadehouse- type technology. During the pandemic, moving produce from farm to market was restricted and the market price for cash crops became very expensive. For farmers like Patricia, the traders come to her farm for the produce, and with the shadehouse, the crops grew better and healthier, the harvest was bountiful and so were the earnings. Patricia’s message is, “farming is a good experience, when the price is right the benefits are rewarding, but it is a luck and chance and you must have patience and keep planting.” She continued: “Monitoring the market prices is also very important to avoid huckster hustle.” The term is used to describe the way traders will use different strategies to get you to sell your produce at the cheapest price then resale at excessively higher prices. Patricia is looking forward to her retirement in the

next two years and plans to expand her shadehouse to facilitate a larger cultivation of lettuce, celery, and broccoli. She has expressed gratitude for the technical as-

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sistance provided by the FAO and IICA to improve resilience to climate change while creating a better livelihood for her family.

emotional support and crisis counselling to victims of domestic and sexual violence and act on the victim’s behalf when necessary. Additionally, she stated that, in 2021, the ministry will create a centralised

database system to facilitate information sharing and capture reports in a systematic manner to guide intervention and programme and policy development.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 26, 2020

Free Internet service for GTT Diwali competition winners THE Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) has awarded three talented individuals with free Internet service for three months, as a result of their submissions to the company’s Diwali Home

‘Light Up’ Competition. “2020 has been a challenging year and we wanted to remind Guyanese that while we practice social distancing during this pandemic, we are connected as a people – and taking time to

The winning submission of the GTT Diwali Home ‘Light Up’ Competition

The submission that earned third place at the GTT Diwali Home ‘Light Up’ Competition

celebrate special occasions, like Diwali, remains im-

portant as a means to unite and literally provide rays of hope to us all,” said Orson Ferguson, GTT’s Chief Marketing Officer. “Our virtual competition awarded very real effort to ‘light up’ homes and other special places with creativity. We thank those who participated – and whole-

The submission that earned second place at the GTT Diwali Home ‘Light Up’ Competition

heartedly congratulate our winners,” Ferguson added. Deodat Siriram, Tejyas Dasa Singh and Ambika Kowlessar-Lalbarry, were awarded first, second and third place winners respectively, based on their submissions and online votes received. They would each receive three months of

Broadband service courtesy of GTT. The online ‘Diwali Home Light Up Competition’ was launched by GTT earlier this month with an open invitation to persons to submit an image of their ‘light up’ in commemoration of Diwali 2020.

Cop remanded for allegedly having sex with underage relative A POLICEMAN who allegedly had sex with a 13-year-old female relative almost one year ago on Wednesday appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was remanded to prison by Magistrate Rondel Weever. He was not required to plead to the indictable sexual activity with a child family member charge. It is alleged that during the month of December

2019, at a city location, the accused engaged in sexual penetration of the teen while knowing, or could reasonably have been expected to know that she was 13-yearsold and was his cousin. According to the prosecution, during the month of December 2019, the child stated that she exited the shower and proceeded into the bedroom. She was wrapped in her towel. She stated that the accused entered the bedroom a few

minutes later and had unprotected, vaginal sex with her. It is alleged that during the month of October 2020, the accused made attempts to engage in sexual activity with the child. The child was able to record a short video of him trying to remove her pants. The matter was reported and the accused was arrested and charged. The matter was adjourned to December 16.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 26, 2020

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and First Lady Arya Ali at Suriname’s Independence Day Parade and Cultural Display on Wednesday (Office of the President photo)

President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, his Surinamese counterpart Chandrikapersad Santokhi and others observe a cultural presentation at the Independence Day Parade (Office of the President photo)

President Ali, First Lady Arya Ali and other members of Guyana’s high-level delegation as they arrive at the Independence Day Parade and Cultural Presentation in neighbouring Suriname (Office of the President photo)

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali addresses a ceremonial dinner reception on Tuesday night to usher in the Republic of Suriname’s 45th Independence Anniversary

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and First Lady Arya Ali observe the Independence Day Parade and Cultural Display (Office of the President photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 26, 2020

India supplies, installs 12 heavy-duty pumps

THE Government of India has arranged procurement and installation of nine fixed and three mobile high-capacity irrigation pumps for agricultural purposes and mitigation of flooding in Georgetown and the surrounding environment under a line-ofcredit financing of US$4M. On Wednesday, High Commissioner of India to Guyana Dr. K. J. Srinivasa visited four sites at Ruimveldt, Sussex Street, Nooten-Zuil and Hope where the mobile and fixed heavy-duty drainage pumps supplied by India are being installed and commissioned by the technical team from India. High Commissioner Srinivasa had also visited two other pump stations at Devonshire Castle and Hampton Court, Essequibo, on November 18, 2020, where installation of two fixed pumps at each station is being carried out. This work is progressing as planned and is expected to be completed by the first week of December 2020. The contract for the work was awarded to M/S

High Commissioner Dr. K. J. Srinivasa (second from extreme left standing) overlooking the installation of a heavy-duty drainage pump at Nooten Zuil, East Coast Demerara

Apollo International Limited, Gurgaon, India. The Indian company has

been working in coordination with the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority

of Guyana. Supervision for installation and commissioning of all 12 pumps will be carried out by the Indian company in the next two months.

World Bank provides US$7.5M to support Guyana’s COVID-19 response THE World Bank has approved the US$7.5 million Guyana COVID-19 Emergency Response Project geared at tackling the current pandemic and strengthening the country’s health system. “The World Bank is working with member countries in the Caribbean to help them respond to COVID-19 and prepare for a resilient recovery. This financing for Guyana will help the country tackle the current crisis and handle future emergencies,” said Tahseen Sayed, World Bank Country Director for the Caribbean. She added: “The project will strengthen care for COVID-19 patients, improve the country’s ability to identify positive cases, and enhance the health system’s capacity to deliver critical care to vulnerable populations, including the elderly and people with chronic conditions.” The bank, in a release, said the Guyana COVID-19 Emergency Response Project will strengthen laboratory capacity, support screening and surveillance, improve contact tracing, and equip healthcare facilities for more effective treatment and care of COVID-19

patients. The project will also include activities specifically targeted to reach local communities across the country and in the hinterland regions through expansion of contact tracing and psychosocial support to vulnerable households. The release pointed out that risk communication materials will be translated into local languages to ensure that vulnerable groups have access to reliable information about the virus and its spread. “Finally, the project will also contribute to preparing the health system for the effective deployment of a safe and approved COVID-19 vaccine,” the release noted. It also noted that Guyana receives interest-free financing from the International Development Association (IDA), with a maturity of 40 years, including a grace period of 10 years. In late July 2020, Guyana also benefitted from a US$1 million grant through the World Bank-administered Pandemic Emergency Financing Facility (PEF), which was disbursed to PAHO/ WHO.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 26, 2020

Men get 11 ½ years for killing kidnapped businessman

–– time in pre-trial custody to be deducted SIX years after Foulis, East Coast Demerara businessman, Rajendra Singh was kidnap and later killed, four men have confessed to the crime and were each sentenced to 11 and a half years’ imprisonment. Deonauth Katwaru called “Pumpkin”; Tony Thomas called “Fix up”; Michael Lewis called “Jet lee” and Adony James called “Pinkey”, on Tuesday, appeared before Justice Navindra Singh at the Georgetown High Court. The quartet opted to plead to the lesser count of manslaughter which alleged that, between April 5 and April 9, 2014, at the Le Repentir Cemetery, Georgetown, they killed Singh. According to reports, on the evening of April 5, 2014, Singh was held at gunpoint and kidnapped from his business place at Foulis. Singh’s wife was later contacted and told to pay a ransom of $50M for his return. The ransom was later reduced to $25M and when it

Deonauth Katwaru and Adony James

was not paid, Singh was shot and killed by his kidnappers. On April 9, 2014, his body was discovered in Le Repentir Cemetery with his hands bound and a gunshot wound to his head. Before sentencing, state prosecutor Tyra Bakker asked the court to consider that Singh’s murder was a senseless and cowardly act which stemmed from greed. According to Bakker, Singh was a man who provided for his family. The

‘Latta’ on trial for rape, murder of pensioner

DEAD: Bibi Keniez

Jaipaul Hitlall called ‘Latta’

A 45-year-old fisherman on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to the gruesome murder and rape of 65-year-old Bibi Keniez whose lifeless body was found in her Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara (WCD) home four years ago. Jaipaul Hitlall called “Latta” formerly of Anna Catherina, Sea View, WCD, is on trial before Justice Navindra Singh and a 12-membery jury at the Demerara High Court. It is alleged that Hitlall between October 2 and October 3, 2016, murdered Keniez in the course or furtherance of a sexual offence, that is to say, rape. The trial commenced on Wednesday with a voir dire. Hitlall is currently serving a 20-year jail sentence for raping a woman on December 29, 2016, at Cornelia Ida. The sentence was imposed by

Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall at the Demerara High Court in November 2019. According to reports, the woman while on the seashore, was attacked by Hitlall and raped. He then dragged her to a boat and raped her again. Hitlall, after realising that he knew the victim, begged her not to report him to the police and she agreed. The next day, the victim reported the matter to the police. Hitlall, after his arrest, was implicated in Keniez’s murder. The elderly woman’s lifeless body was found in a hammock with almost a dozen stab wounds. Investigators believed that the woman was raped before she was stabbed to death. She was not wearing underwear and her skirt was pulled up to her chest when she was found.

Michael Lewis

Tony Thomas

DEAD Rajendra Singh

family, she said, still mourns his death. The prosecutor asked the court to let the sentence reflect the nature and gravity of the crime committed. She also

asked that the sentence be one which would deter the quartet and others from committing such a crime. Justice Singh, sentenced the quartet to serve 11 and

a half years each. The judge also ordered that the prison authorities deduct from the sentence, the time the men spent in pre-trial custody.

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Pollard urging Windies to improve T20 results

(CMC) – West Indies Twenty20 International captain Kieron Pollard said his side should use their three-match series against New Zealand, starting on Friday (02:00hrs – East Caribbean Time) at Eden Park, to improve their results in the format. The Windies are the reigning World champions and the only international team to have won the title twice since its inception 13 years ago – but they are currently ranked ninth in the ICC T20I Team Rankings. The Caribbean side have won only 15 of their previous 47 T20Is, since clinching their second World title four years ago in India – but they have won their last three matches – including two in March this year on the Tour of Sri Lanka. One of the chief reasons advanced for West Indies’ low rankings has been the availability of their leading T20 players, including Pollard over the period. They have missed T20Is because of other domestic T20 playing commitments around the globe or injury. But Pollard said his side must do better and the series against New Zealand was the perfect time to start. “T20 cricket is a format in which I think we should be performing better and more consistently in terms of a team because we have the necessary guys to do the job,” he said in an interview with WESN TV in his native Trinidad. “We just have to put the pieces of the puzzle together. The plans have been put in place, virtually (for this series). We have the information on the New Zealand opposition from our analyst.” He added: “It’s just a matter of studying that information (from the analyst) and coming up with plans, and I am looking forward to these challenges (against the Black Caps). “Last time, we were here as a team, we did not do too well, but that’s history.” The Windies have won only once in eight matches in New Zealand – and that required a Super Over to achieve. But their preparation for this series has been far from ideal with Pollard and five other members of the squad – his deputy Nicholas Pooran, fellow left-hander Shimron Hetmyer, all-rounder Keemo Paul, left-arm pacer Sheldon Cottrell and left-arm spinner Fabian Allen – holed up in a managed isolation facility under the country’s COVID-19 protocols for the past two weeks. The six players arrived from the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on November 12 and have had limited training. They completed three mandatory tests for the COVID-19 virus, which all returned negative, and they are scheduled to leave the quarantine facility today. The six players will join the remaining members of the squad who have already been in New Zealand for the past month and arrived in the city for the first match of the series. Pollard said he will not allow his side to use the less-than-perfect preparation as an excuse for failure in this series. “There is nothing better than coming out on top when your back is against the wall,” Pollard said. “The quality of training and the longevity of any opportunity to go and bat have not been there, but we are making use of every opportunity.” Pollard said: “It is something that I will get straight out of the window from the time I meet up with the rest of the team tonight, the day before the game. “We will not have a practice session together as a team. That will go straight out of the window immediately because it becomes

Kieron Pollard wore a special jersey during his 500th T20.

irrelevant once you step out onto the field. People do not want to hear it. We have to do what we can in order to prepare ourselves for the series.” Pollard said the situation will require a lot more patience and understanding from him as captain and the support staff that when a player does not hit the mark, he is not made to feel he has let the team down. “The guys have not had a chance to practise fully, so it will be to guide them along when they get a chance on the field,” he said. “Lack of playing time, it’s different. The lack of intensity is different. “Having the understanding that mistakes will be made, it’s not about bowling bad deliveries, it’s about what’s to come. It’s to make up pretty quickly. Couple bad balls and you get a few wickets - everything is forgotten until you are planning for the next game. Those are the little areas of which we have to be wary.” He said: “Guys not getting to bat out in the middle, they might be a little tentative. It is what it is, but the two teams will be in the same boat. It’s a challenge, but you have to tackle it head on. “Once you give 100 percent and watch yourself in that mirror because you can lie to everybody else, but as long as you can look at that person in the mirror and know you have given 100 percent, it’s all that matters.” The second and third matches of the series will be contested this coming Sunday and Monday – both will take place at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. Squads: NEW ZEALAND (from): Tim Southee (captain), Hamish Bennett, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Seifert, Ross Taylor. WEST INDIES (from): Kieron Pollard (captain), Nicholas Pooran (vice-captain), Fabian Allen, Dwayne Bravo, Sheldon Cottrell, Andre Fletcher, Shimron Hetmyer, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Rovman Powell, Keemo Paul, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr, Kesrick Williams.

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Windies keen on playing aggressive brand of cricket - Fletcher By Clifton Ross WITH the first T20 set to bowl off in just a day’s time, West Indies batsman Andre Fletcher said his team will be inclined to play their same aggressive brand of cricket, similar to which helped them to two World titles. After a number of practice and training sessions in Kiwi land, the Caribbean Boys will now set aside their simulations and get down to actual work tomorrow and Fletcher told media recently that the team is ready for the challenge. "We enjoyed Queenstown; it was a great place and coming here to Auckland the weather is a bit different. We practised a lot and very hard, we put in the work and strongly believe we are ready for the guys," he pointed out. Although the team have been very competitive among themselves during their sessions before drawing their practice games against the Kiwi A-team , the dynamic opener was adamant that they needed to remain focussed on winning their first T20 series while preparing for the T20I World Cup. "It's a game we cannot predict but we're ready. We haven't won a series in New Zealand, but hopefully we can change things around." "It's part of our preparations for the World Cup, I guess that's what all the teams are gearing our minds up for, so hopefully we can start well and see where it takes us,". Fletcher pointed out. Speaking on the new mindset the team have adapted because of the pandemic, the T20 veteran said the team's chemistry has grown despite the lockdown. "As we know it's a different era with the pandemic. Things have been tough but we are

Andre Fletcher

trying mentally to stay as focussed as possible. But it is what it is. We just have to work with it, stay strong. As a team we have been doing a lot of bonding, the guys are enjoying our company; it's good and it's important for us." he said. Meanwhile, Fletcher wrapped up by admitting that the team’s overall plan is to continue playing aggressive cricket as they seek to leave New Zealand and 2020 with a piece of history. "I don't think anything will change, we will continue to play our brand of cricket. Sometimes it's tough winning two world cups, but I believe we will be back up there. I'm very excited and we have prepared a lot and waiting on Friday," he ended.

GCB/Tropical Spring T20 Over-40... In the afternoon, RP Construction battled against the Everest Masters. Electing to bat, after having won the toss, RP Construction racked up 110-6 to complete their overs despite the threatening hand of Ronald Jaisingh who returned figures of 4-13 runs in his attempt to restrict the opponents. Parmanand Dindyal, undefeated, eased his way through

the innings to top-score for his team with 36, Ramchand Jailal 27 and Latchman Yadram 17, each playing an instrumental role in the undertaking. In response, Everest Masters exhausted their line-up to falter at 100 in their allotted 20 overs handing RP Construction the victory by 10 runs. Saheed Mohamed added 23 runs, Sahadeo Hardaiow

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18, fuelled by 2 sixes and one four, with skipper Basil Persaud steadily behind with 16, in an attempt to launch their team to victory. However, Everest Masters failed in their mission off the destructive hands of bowlers like Yadram Seemangal 3-7, Rohan Mangal 2-8 and Parmanand Dindyal 2-15. RP Construction won by 10 runs.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday November 26, 2020)

COMPLIMENTS OF THE XTRA ENERGY DRINK, STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 11 (2) 7 Today’s Quiz: (1) Where and when did the WI & NZ firts contested a Test match against each other? (2) Who were the captains involved?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, November 26, 2020

Santner set to captain New Zealand against West Indies AFTER being in the CPL and IPL bubbles for four months, Mitchell Santner is set to kick off the international home season with additional responsibilities. In the absence of both Kane Williamson and Tim Southee for the third T20I at the Bay Oval, Santner will step in as captain and with Ajaz Patel still under an injury cloud, the spin-bowling all-rounder has also been added to the Test squad. Santner said that he was looking forward to his captaincy debut and dashing out of Managed Isolation Quarantine (MIQ). New Zealand’s IPL contingent cleared all three coronavirus tests and they leave Christchurch to join their national team-mates in Auckland today, a day before the T20I series opener against West Indies. “Yeah, it’s pretty cool obviously. It’s a privilege to play for your country, let

alone captain it,” Santner said during a virtual media interaction. “Definitely very excited for the opportunity and looking forward to catch up with the boys … and join them in Auckland. “Pretty confident (to resume playing). We’ve got a good group down here and we’ve had some help - Baz (Brendon McCullum) and stuff is here - which is good. We’ve had some great facilities in Lincoln that they’ve put on for us. “It’s been probably four months now (in bio-secure bubbles) and I’m definitely ready to get out of here. Yeah, it’s going to be pretty exciting to see the lads tomorrow and play some cricket again.” Santner has played 44 T20Is so far and is New Zealand’s fourth-highest wicket-taker in the format, with 52 scalps, behind Southee, Nathan McCullum, and Ish Sodhi. He has also been part

of Chennai Super Kings side in the IPL in the past couple of years, and also made his CPL debut, for Barbados Tridents, earlier this year. New Zealand coach Gary Stead said that Santner’s T20 experience could make him a good captain as they plan for the future. “I guess when we looked at a one-off game, we started looking at who were the people we were looking to the future and Mitch has a lot of experience through the CPL and IPL and being with the international team for a long period of time,” Stead said. “So, it’s somewhat a trial to find out how that goes and it’s part of our planning towards further down the track when we look at the future as well. He’s still a young man, has plenty of time left in the game, so it’s an opportunity to see how he performs in that role. As for Santner, he said

Mitchell Santner talks to the press. (Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images)

that he was open to leading New Zealand in the future if the management continues to rotate the players in T20Is. “I’ve played a little bit of T20 cricket now under a few different captains, so it’s a great experience to be able to do this and put my spin on it,” Santner said. “T20 cricket

is quite fickle and can be quite challenging at times, so definitely looking forward to the opportunity. “I guess with the schedule we’ve got, we’re obviously looking forward to the backto-back World Cups coming up. I guess there’s going to be a little bit of rotation with the

Net Rockers president Blair to contest UDFA elections By Joe Chapman PRESIDENT of Linden’s Net Rockers Football Club, Akani Blair, has signalled his intention to run for the presidency of the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA). Blair plans to unseat the current boss, Terrence Mitchell, when the regional body stages its Annual General Meeting. That AGM, according to Blair, is due by the end of this month after it was postponed for a year by the Guyana Football Federation. Blair, who has been very outspoken as head of Net Rockers about the state of affairs re football, in the bauxite mining town, spoke to this newspaper in an exclusive interview. “Football died a few years ago and we have nothing coming from the current administration to bring about the change that is necessary, which will allow for football to be played in this region,” he said. He said that a change is necessary to allow football to develop as “we all know for football in order to be

played efficiently, we must be able to attract sponsors to allow our football to develop. And from the angle which I am coming that is something I will definitely bring on board.” The club official noted, “My club is one hundred percent behind me. I spoke with other clubs from across the region and got the feeling of their support.” Asked what makes him feel that there will be an election soon for the UDFA, he responded, “Well that is the issue we would have had. The UDFA elections would have been constitutionally due last year November. And they were granted an extension for some reason by the GFF of a year. Which means at the end of November this year, we should have an election.” However, Blair quipped: “But I think because of COVID-19 pandemic, and I would even say the lack of pro-activeness of the current administration of the UDFA; there has been a falling out within the UDFA and everything simply has ground to a halt. “This COVID-19 allows

them the big excuse, but they have been on a downward trajectory for a very

President of the Linden’s Net Rockers Football Club, Akani Blair

long time. COVID-19 or not they would have been in this same position. What COVID-19 did is it took the embarrassment off them but we all know that the UDFA is in shambles and nothing was going on,” he continued. “However, because of the fact that these elections are constitutionally due this November and nothing has been happening, I rather suspect that the GFF is going to grant

another extension. Because their Congress is coming up on December 12, 2020 and if that should happen, it means that we are going to be heading into another year with another extended executive with the UDFA.” Should the election not happen as anticipated, Net Rockers boss outlined his steps, saying, “I am prepared to fight that vigorously and to ensure that that does not happen. What I am thinking is to petition the GFF and say to them that we the General Council are prepared to grant this extension only for the facilitating of the GFF Congress. But after the GFF Congress is over, UDFA must get on with the business of elections, as constitutionally due.” “While I am not so confident that the UDFA’s General Council is going to get that commitment from the GFF, what I can say is that we are going to make the representation and let us see if the GFF will ignore the General Council of the UDFA to satisfy the gains of a few.” “The management of the clubs has been crying out for a long time about the

UDFA and it continued to fall on deaf ears. The UDFA believes that they are a power onto themselves and because they are being facilitated by the GFF in some regard, they feel that it is business as usual. “But the clubs have been crying out. It is not that the clubs didn’t try to have a no-confidence against UDFA last year executive they did try. But even that ran into trouble. “I can’t remember the details or the specifics of what happened, but there was an attempt of a no-confidence motion that didn’t go well. So the clubs had actually made a bid to get this executive removed.” Blair informed that “letters are being drafted and the UDFA clubs are to be contacted and by tomorrow (Friday) we should get all or most of the signatures from the clubs so this process can go forward.” Efforts to have a response from the president of UDFA, Terrence Mitchell, or General Secretary Ms Dawn Barker have been futile.

Test boys coming and going. So, it gives me an opportunity in the future if the other guys aren’t available as well.” While Santner conceded that life in the bubble has been difficult, he also reckoned that the past four months have given him a chance to pause and reflect.

GOA expresses sadness at passing of Judo boss THE Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) has expressed sadness at the passing of Mr Raoul Archer, president of Guyana Judo Association and a Council member of GOA. In a release yesterday, GOA said, ‘It is with shock and great sadness that the Guyana Olympic Association has learnt of the passing this morning Mr Raoul Archer, president of the Guyana Judo Association and a Council member of the GOA.’ ‘Mr Archer will be remembered for his dedication to sport and more especially the development of Judo in Guyana.’ The release continued, ‘The GOA has had the distinct pleasure of working with Mr Archer during his time as a Council member and for his sterling contributions made over the years to the activities of the GOA.’ ‘The sporting fraternity of Guyana has suffered a tremendous loss,’ the release ended.

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Argentina legend Maradona dies of heart attack (REUTERS) - World soccer great Diego Armando Maradona, who died yesterday less than a month after his 60th birthday, was worshipped like a god for his genius with the ball, but his demons almost destroyed him. Maradona had died after suffering a heart attack at his home in the suburbs of Buenos Aires, those close to him confirmed. Argentine President Alberto Fernandez declared three days of national mourning. Rising to stardom from a grimy Buenos Aires slum to lead Argentina to World Cup victory, Maradona was a rags-to-riches story in his soccer-mad homeland and gained the iconic status of fellow Argentines Che Guevara and Evita Peron. One of the most gifted soccer players in history, Maradona’s pinnacle of glory came when he captained Argentina to win the World Cup in 1986 before plunging to misery when he was kicked out the 1994 World Cup for doping. Years of drug use, overeating and alcoholism truncated a stellar career and altered his appearance from the lithe athlete who could slalom effortlessly through teams to a bloated addict who nearly died of cocaine-induced heart failure in 2000. But he reinvented himself in a stunning comeback in 2008 as coach of the Argentina team, persuading managers that with sheer charisma he could inspire the team to victory, despite a lack of coaching experience. A magician with the ball deceptively quick and a visionary passer - Maradona is considered by

some as the greatest soccer player ever, edging out that other great, Brazil’s Pele. In Argentina, he was worshipped as ‘El Dios’ - The God - partly a play on words on his number 10 shirt, ‘El Diez.’ He was largely responsible for Argentina’s World Cup victory in 1986 in Mexico, scoring two famous goals in one game against England in the quarter-finals. The first was a notorious goal scored with his fist, and the second, where he dribbled past half the England team, is often called the goal of the century. “It was partly by the hand of God and partly with the head of Maradona,” he said of his opener in the 2-1 win. ON THE BALL FROM THE START Born on October 30, 1960 in the Buenos Aires working class suburb of Lanus, the fifth of eight children of a factory worker, Maradona grew up in the Villa Fiorito shanty town. His mother Dalma, known to his fans as “Dona Tota,” saw a star reflected on the floor in the church where her son was baptised and imagined a bright future as an accountant. But Maradona’s love affair with soccer was apparent from the start. Given his first football as an infant, he slept with it under his arm. Discovered in street kickabouts by the scout for first division club Argentinos Juniors, the prodigy made his league debut at 15. At 17 he just missed inclusion in Argentina’s 1978 World Cup-winning squad at home. In the 1982 tournament in Spain, a

Diego Maradona head coach of Argentina celebrates the third goal scored by Carlos Tevez during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, Round of Sixteen match against Mexico at Soccer City Stadium on June 27, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Lars Baron/ Getty Images) sending-off against Brazil was a fitting prologue to two unhappy seasons at Barcelona, marred by hepatitis and injury. But then came liberation, and triumph. In 1984, he moved to Napoli for a then world-record $7.5 million contract. Maradona helped underdogs Napoli to the Italian title twice - creating a whole new set of adoring fans in the process. And, after the 1986 World Cup triumph in Mexico, he also coaxed a mediocre Argentine team to a second successive World Cup final in Rome in 1990. But by 1991, drugs and alcohol began taking over his life. That year Maradona was handed a 15-month suspension from football worldwide for doping and was called to trial in Naples over alleged links with a vice ring. He was banned again for 15

months after testing positive for drugs at the 1994 World Cup in the United States. The compact, 5-foot 4-inch (1.65m) player with dark curly hair and a pugnacious set to his jaw surrounded himself with an entourage of yes-men and became known for his sharp-tongued confrontations with reporters and critics. Through the years he reflected publicly on his greatness and on his weaknesses, publishing books of photos and quotes about himself and hosting a television show. “Soccer is the most beautiful and healthy sport in the world. Soccer shouldn’t have to pay for my mistakes. It’s not the ball’s fault,” he said. SLOW-MOTION SUICIDE Maradona retired from profes-

sional soccer in 1997 and after his brush with death in 2000 he underwent drug rehabilitation, living offand-on in Cuba between 2000 and 2005, where he often spent time with Fidel Castro. He had a tattoo of the Cuban leader on his leg - and one of fellow revolutionary Che on his arm. For many, his off-pitch sins overshadowed his genius. “My main doubt is whether he has the sufficient greatness as a person, to justify being honoured by a worldwide audience,” Pele said after a popular vote gave Maradona the FIFA century award in 2000, leaving Pele in second place. Argentine media obsessed over Maradona’s addictive personality, with blanket coverage of his 2005 gastric bypass operation to lose weight and his 2007 hospitalisation for life-threatening alcohol-induced hepatitis. Drug and alcohol experts called Maradona’s abuse of one substance after another a slow-motion suicide. But Maradona cleaned up and bounced back. In 2008 he talked himself into a position as the coach of Argentina’s national team. Many Argentines doubted he could get a talented squad of players to act as a coherent unit, and they seemed justified when the team barely squeaked through the qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, finally crashing out in the quarter-finals. Spells coaching in the United Arab Emirates were followed by a stint in charge of Mexican second division club Dorados de Sinaloa, before returning to Argentina to take over Gimnasia y Esgrima in La Plata in 2019.

All the while, Maradona was never far from the front pages. During a rest cure in Italy, tax police confiscated his trademark diamond earring to help pay back taxes. In 2010 he was rushed to a hospital in the middle of the night for reconstructive surgery after one of his own dogs bit his lip. With his knees causing him increasing pain and his weight fluctuating, his mobility was hampered and his famous speed long gone. But fans remained devoted. From China to Europe, Argentines found they could make friends just by mentioning Maradona’s name. Some created the Maradoniana Church, complete with its own religious imagery and 10 Commandments, one of which is, ‘Make Diego your middle name and name your first son Diego.’ Maradona was an antidote to upheaval for Argentina as it suffered successive economic crises and humiliating defeat to England after the 1982 conflict over the Falklands, or Malvinas Islands. And he was balm for the wounded soul of Argentines, obsessed with their country’s perpetual failure to live up to their potential on the world stage. “In our collective imagination Diego Maradona represents a certain glorious past, he’s a symbol of what we might have been,” popular culture professor at Buenos Aires University and Maradona expert Pablo Alabarces has said. “He will always be forgiven,” said Maradona fan Marcelo Pose, a Buenos Aires attorney.

Minister Ramson reiterates call for GCB/Tropical Spring T20 Over-40 Round 4 continues today tennis to move to higher level … crowns Resaul champion of Safe Tournament MINISTER of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr reiterated his call for tennis to rise to the next level in Guyana on Monday night before crowning Heimraj Resaul as champion of the Safeway Tennis Tournament. Minister Ramson had announced at the start of the competition early this month that his intention was to make tennis a core sport, which means that it would become a key priority area for the government. At the closing ceremony, he said that with the sport’s new classification, it would be in line for better infrastructure and top tier training. Vice-president of Guyana Tennis Association, Cristy Campbell, expressed gratitude to the minister and thanked him for his support. She said that since the announcement three weeks ago, several sponsors have expressed interest in the sport. Campbell also thanked ITF for sponsoring the tournament and congratulated

the players, who she said played at a high level despite being displaced from training for many months due to the pandemic. Coordinators Shelly Daly and Andre Lopes, “who both worked tirelessly to run a smooth tournament” and champion Resaul were also thanked by the GTA’s VP. First Title On Saturday in the semi-final of the all-male competition, 19-year-old Resaul had upset the number one seeded player Gavin Lewis to book his place in Monday’s final (postponed from Sunday evening because of rain). In that clash, against the number two seeded Benjaton Osbourne, Resaul stormed to a 6-0, 6-1 victory. Meanwhile in the consolation final, Ronald Murray defeated Javed Khan 6-2, 6-3. The knockout tournament at the Le Resouvenir Tennis Court on the East Coast of Demerara started with 19 players.

AFTER three exciting rounds of action, the ongoing GCB Over-40 T20 tourney continues today with more mouthwatering battles set for venues across the country. On the East Coast of Demerara at the Enmore Community Centre ground, KV Construction Masters face Bel-Air RUBiS Ultra Tec from 09:30hrs while the afternoon encounter from 13:45hrs see RP Construction Legends battle against the red-hot West Demerara Masters. At the Everest Cricket Club ground, Everest Masters tackle WD Mavericks in the morning match, with Regal Masters competing against the likes of Sand Piper Masters. The previous round saw Bel-Air RUBiS Ultra Tec make 74 for 8 from their allotted 20 overs against Regal Masters. Batting for Bel-Air RUBiS, Chandrika Jeenarine batted at number 9 and top-scored with 16. Opening batsman Nirmaldeo Sarwan made 10, while Dexter Jones who batted at number 3 was brilliantly run-out by

Anthony Ifill for 13. Regal Masters demonstrated good team work in the field, with seven of their bowlers taking a wicket each. In reply, Regal Masters gently trod to their target of 75 for 6 off 15.2 overs. Opening batsman Anthony Ifill notched 15, while middle-order batsman Ejaz Mohammed and Shawn DeSouza made 21 and 12 respectively. Bowling for Bel-Air RUBiS Ultra Tec, Shaun Massiah grabbed 2 for 6 from 3 overs, while Shivnarine Budhu, Kevin Ross, Nadir Baksh and Chandrika Jeenarine each took a wicket. Regal Masters won by 4 wickets. Sand Piper Masters emerged winners against KV Construction by virtue of walkover. Over at the Enmore Community Centre ground, West Demerara Mavericks were sent in to bat and posted a challenging total of 106 for 4 off 17 overs. Opening batsman Muneshwar Balgobin stroked a classy 30, inclusive of 2 fours and 1 six.

However, middle-order batsman Lalta Sukhanan was the highlight of Mavericks innings, with a masterful unbeaten 40, against WD Masters. Sohan Bedasi and Imtiaz Mohamed contributed 15 and 14 respectively. Bowling for WD Masters, Ramesh Thakur, Steve Haripal and Sudesh Persaud each took one wicket. West Demerara Masters, in response, positively approached their target with an opening partnership of 26 between Elroy Fredericks and Ramesh Thakur. Thakur made a watchful 32 which included one four, while Fredericks contributed with 17. Chabraj Ramdian made an unbeaten 25, inclusive of one six to help his team reach 100 for 4 from their allotted 17 overs. Bowling for WD Mavericks, Lalta Suknaman, Mohan Choham, Sohan Bedasi, and Navindra Kissoon took one wicket apiece. WD Mavericks won by 6 runs, to pick up their third win in as many matches. TURN TO PAGE

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Argentina legend Maradona dies of heart attack

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Portrait of Diego Maradona of Argentina with his World Cup trophy, boot and ball in Cancun, Mexico, December 27 1994: (David Cannon/Allsport)

Pollard urging Windies to improve T20 results

Safe Tennis Tournament champion Heimraj Resaul (right) with Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr

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Minister Ramson reiterates call for tennis to move to higher level Kieron Pollard wore a special jersey during his 500th T20.

‌ crowns Resaul champion of Safe Tournament

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020